JPS6268494A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention measures the distance to the water surface or laundry using ultrasonic waves, determines the amount of cloth based on the distance, sets the water level for the washing machine, and Laundry tffi that performs laundry based on 6r
This relates to Ia.

Conventional technology The technology of measuring distance using ultrasonic waves has been known for a long time, and various methods have been proposed for using ultrasonic waves in washing machines to detect the amount of cloth and automatically set the water supply amount, etc. ing.

For example, there is a known system in which a laundry load is loaded, the distance to the upper surface of the laundry cloth is measured, and the laundry water level is determined by determining the cloth ifl: based on the measured distance. Furthermore, in order to improve detection accuracy, one is known that is equipped with a water sprinkling device to make the laundry sink.

Problems that the invention aims to solve In such conventional methods, the measurement results vary depending on the state when the cloth is introduced (air may be included), phase shape, cloth quality, etc.It is difficult to accurately detect the amount of cloth. Can not do it. In addition, it is actually possible to sufficiently sink the washings using a water sprinkler. That is, in the conventional technology, it is difficult to determine the optimum water level for the amount of cloth.

The present invention has been developed in view of the problem in 4-4, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine that suppresses detection variations, performs washing with high accuracy, and sets the water level.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention includes a means for supplying water to the washing tub, a water detection means for detecting a constant water level, and a water detection means that mixes the laundry with water. Sekakan means and +iri
An ultrasonic transmitter installed above the washing tub; an ultrasonic receiver that receives the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transmitter and reflected from the water surface or the laundry; +i
After operating the rf water supply means and the stirring means, +
a control means for operating the ultrasound transmitter;
I. A counting means for counting the time from when the ultrasonic transmitter operates until the ultrasonic receiver outputs a signal; The water level determining means is made up of +III.

Function: With the above-described configuration, the present invention supplies water to a 47-piece machine that measures the distance to the upper surface of the laundry using ultrasonic waves, and agitates the water to a certain water level for a short time using an agitation means to thoroughly mix the water and the laundry and cause the laundry to sink. Therefore, the amount of cloth can be accurately determined and an appropriate water level can be set.

Embodiment: Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a washing machine of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is an ultrasonic transmitter, which transmits ultrasonic waves toward the cloth surface or water surface. Reference numeral 2 denotes an ultrasonic receiver, which receives ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic transmitter 1 that are reflected by the cloth or water surface.

The ultrasonic transmitter 1 and the ultrasonic receiver 2 are connected to a washing tub 3.
It is attached at a location above the center and slightly outside of the center. 4. The stirring means drives the stirring blades 13 to blend the laundry and water. 10 is a water level detection means for detecting a predetermined water level. 11 is a water supply means;
At the start of washing, water is supplied to washing tub 3.). , 12 microcomputers, control means 5 degrees, number means 6. Statistical tools 7. Recording means 8 and optimum water 1)'L determining means 9
has. The control means 5 operates the r:ri water means 11 at the start of washing, and the riQ water M detection means 1o:
When a predetermined water level is detected, the operation of the self-water supply means 11 is stopped. Further, the stirring means 4 is operated for a predetermined period of time to mix the water and the laundry. Further, in order to scan the laundry, the +irf stirring means 4 is operated for a short time, and then the ultrasonic transmitter 1 is operated. The counting means 6 is 1
111 After the control means 5 operates the ultrasonic transmitter 1, the control means 5 operates the ultrasonic transmitter 1, and then the X-wave receiver 2 receives the inviting sound reflected by the laundry or the water surface. Count the time. 8 is a storage means that stores the distance to the water surface for each water level. The statistical means 7 compares the output of the counting means 6 and the output of the storage means 8 for each Sugyan moe and performs statistical processing. The storage means 8 stores the distance to the water surface for each water level. The optimum water level determining means 9 is 1][1
The optimum water level is determined based on the output of the statistical means 7.

Next, the operation of the washing machine constructed as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the embodiment of the present invention. This washing machine can set the water level to four levels: low, low, medium, and high. At the start of washing, the laundry is placed in the front washing tank 3, and the [washing control means 5]
Accordingly, the water supply means 11 is operated to supply water. Water supply continues until the water level detection means 10 detects a low water level. Since the water level at the bottom of this washing machine is low,
The detection water level of the optimum water level is set to the low water level (Fig. 2 F-1)
).

Next, the control means 5 controls the stirring means 4,
Activate the stirring blade and stir the laundry to the right for 3 seconds, pause for 3 seconds, then stir to the left for 3 seconds. At this time, the laundry is sufficiently submerged and soaked in water, and the air contained inside has escaped (Fτ2 in Figure 2).

Next, the control means 5 controls the stirring means 4, nfi
After operating the stirring blade 13 for a short time, the ultrasonic transmitter 1 is operated to emit ultrasonic waves.

At the same time, i? 7. The counting means 6 is operated to start counting. Then, when the MfJ ultrasonic receiver 2 receives a reflected wave that hits the laundry or the water surface and returns, it finishes counting and outputs it to the statistical means 7. This count value corresponds to the distance to the cloth surface or water surface. Repeat these actions 10 times. The stirring means 4. The stirring blade 13 is operated 10 times, which is the time required for the cloth to go around once (Fig. 2 F-3 to F-5).
).

Next, the navigation statistics means 7 averages the outputs of the previous track counting means (FIG. 2 F-6).

Next, the optimal water level determination means 9 compares the output of the storage means 8 and the output of the statistical means 7, and the output of the statistical means 7 is 31. In case of above, low water level, 27c1n
If it is more than 24σ, it is low water level, if it is more than 24σ, it is middle water level.
If it is less than calm, it is determined that the water level is high (Fig. 2 F-7 to F-
13).

In this embodiment, the water level is determined in four stages: low, low, medium, and high, but it goes without saying that if the number of stages is increased, the optimum water level for the laundry will be determined more accurately.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the distance to the laundry or the water surface is measured using ultrasonic waves, water is poured to the lowest water level, and the water is stirred to mix the water and cloth, so that the laundry can be washed easily. There is no bias when putting the cloth in, the air contained in the cloth comes out, and the surface of the cloth becomes even. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the water level according to the amount of cloth.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the embodiment of the present invention. 1... Ultrasonic transmitter, 2... Ultrasonic receiver, 3... Washing tub, 4... Stirring means, 5
... Control means, 6 ... Counting means, 7...
...Statistical means, 8...Memory means, 9-...
・Optimum water level determining means, 1o...Water level detecting means, 1
1... Water supply means, 12... Microcomputer-113... Stirring blade. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao; 1 person on the hill 3 - Washing tank 4 - Stirring means S - Control means 6 - Counting means 7 - Statistical means 8 - Storage means 9 - Optimum water level determining means 10 --° Water level detection means 11 -1 Water supply means 12 --- Microcomputer - I3- Stirring X Figure 2 To the next washing water level

Claims (1)

[Claims] A means for supplying water to the washing tub, a water level detection means for detecting a constant water level, a stirring means for mixing the laundry with water, an ultrasonic transmitter provided above the washing tub, and the ultrasonic transmitter. an ultrasonic receiver that receives emitted ultrasonic waves that hit the water surface or laundry and are reflected; a control unit that operates the ultrasonic transmitter after operating the water supply means and the stirring means; A washing machine comprising a counting means for counting the time from when the ultrasonic transmitter operates until the ultrasonic receiver outputs a signal, and an optimum water level determining means for determining an optimum water level based on the output of the counting means. Machine.